​It's February: and I'm exploring Fear, Fantasy and Female. In late January I took the big squids to see Operation Ouch! Live in Canberra. The show covered a range of medical topics, including pain perception. Dr Chris spoke of a trip he and identical twin brother Dr Xand took to Malaysia to film a festival of pain, which involved having spikes pierced into their faces. They said it hurt the first time, but once they knew what to expect, it wasn't an ordeal. That in understanding the process, and the pain, they were better able to cope. I found this very interesting, as it fits with my understanding of pain in relation to fear of childbirth, a topic that has been regularly popping up in my twitter feed. Many women who describe 'painfree' and even orgasmic births have several things in common:

1. They understand the physiology of normal birth and are not afraid of

the possibility of pain or

the fact that they will feel something

2. They are well supported because

they actively seek out the support they need for a biologically normal birth (e.g. continuity of care with a midwife)

their non-medical support is well versed and prepared for normal biological birth

3. They choose to birth where they feel most safe

In short they UNDERSTAND birth, and welcome it. They are not afraid.

Women who are afraid of childbirth may avoid pregnancy, even if they wish for motherhood, or may choose to 'bypass' birth by electing a caesarean. Many women feel that this allows them to be more in control and it takes out the unpredictable aspect of birth. Some people even promote this as a feminist issue, in that it is about choice. And whilst this is, to a degree, true, it fails to address why women are making this choice. And this why is the real feminist issue. Social conditioning through entertainment media, new media, formal education, peer education, family history, marketing and propaganda is at the core of this issue. Address that, and we are likely to see a shift away from technological choices back towards physiological ones. This is true for pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding...and life in general really. Trouble is...no one profits. In this Newsletter

storytime: The Little Mole Who Knew That it was none of his business (Searching for identity... in a way... )

poetry corner: The Long Goodbye

getting together

new blog post: Medically extreme birthing

blog posts from the archive: marketing vs information and Brave New World

articles that caught my eye

new in resources

The Long Goodbyea poemThis month marked my 11th year as a Mother. This time 11 years ago, with cracked and bleeding nipples, I heard a lot of 'this too shall pass', as I received a lot of support and empathy through what was a tough (yet triumphant) 6 weeks. As the first year passed, the steep learning curve of breastfeeding, normal development and social conditioning saw a very clear line emerging between life before children, and life after children. As time marched on, ever faster, 'this too shall pass' took on a different meaning. My poem was written to help remind me that whilst some days are long, the years are short.

GETTING TOGETHERI will be at the Australian Botanic Gardens on Friday 2nd March, with my children. I am taking my toddler to STORYTIME for preschoolers. My parents are meeting me there, and will take my big kids (homeschooled) to work on their nature journals. Perhaps you would like to join me at storytime?Perhaps you would like to meet in the gardens for a lunchtime picnic?Please let me know if you are keen. I will send an email via the events list with fixed details next week, so this is your chance to influence where and when!

FROM THE ARCHIVE: Marking vs Information Sharing again after an interesting witter discussion about formula company sponsorship of pregnancy/birth/breastfeeding conferences. (this one also led me down memory lane, into the depths of my first blog on tumblr).Maternal Feminisim in the Brave New World Revisiting this one in light of the cloned monkeys (see below)

CAESAREAN PLANSThe slightly sweary caesarean recovery plan is an insightful post that can help with a planned or contingency caesarean. It reminds us that the birth plan includes the recovery...and the fourth trimester.

Be a ContributorDo you run a podcast, write a blog or have you published research or a book?Do you want to share a resource or article that has informed or inspired you? Use this form to submit your offering. You can upload a file (pdf) or an image (including one of you to go with your bio), or put a link in the comments. I will include your contribution in the next newsletter.

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Catherine is a member of the Doula Network Australia

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